ORDER OF BATTLE // October 23, 1642
Battle of Breitenfeld
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 46,000 estimated
Swedish Empire
20,000
Medium-confidence figure
Holy Roman Empire
26,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Second Battle of Breitenfeld, fought on 23 October 1642, pitted a Swedish force of 20,000 under Lennart Torstensson, Arvid Wittenberg, Johan Lilliehöök, and Hans Christoff von Königsmarck against a Holy Roman Empire army of 26,000 commanded by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, Ottavio Piccolomini, Annibale Gonzaga, Hans Christoph von Puchheim, and Ernst Roland von Suys. Despite being outnumbered, the Swedish force inflicted casualties of between 7,500 and 10,000 on the imperial side while sustaining around 4,000 of their own — a loss ratio indicating a significant Swedish tactical success. The engagement took place during the final decade of the Thirty Years' War, a period in which Sweden remained a principal belligerent pressing into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire. The disparity in casualties between the two forces underscores the continued effectiveness of Swedish arms late in the conflict.
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